Former NBA star Malik Beasley negotiates plea over gambling charges

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 19:44 · Archive

Former NBA player Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement after being charged with altering his play to benefit sports bettors.

Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement with the Department of Justice after initially pleading not guilty to charges that he altered his play in certain games in 2024 to enrich sports bettors and ease his own debts, his attorney said Saturday. Beasley, 29, is accused of fixing or trying to fix his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024 by under or overperforming bookmakers' expectations. In exchange, the indictment said, the bettors bribed Beasley and his debts to former teammate and ex-NBA player Ed Davis were reduced or eliminated.

Beasley and sports agent Paolo Zamorano, 39, were among six people charged in an indictment unsealed in summer detailing a gambling scandal that has involved more than three dozen arrests. Zamorano formerly represented Ed Davis, who had lent money to Beasley and is accused of acting as his 'gatekeeper' in the alleged scheme. In a January 2024 text message, Davis told Beasley: 'Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting. Everything else they got the edge.'

Beasley's attorney Steve Haney told the Associated Press that they were negotiating an agreement with the government 'with an expected direction in the coming days'. Beasley had racked up millions of dollars in gambling losses, leading to financial disputes with a Detroit landlord, a Milwaukee barber and a Minnesota dentist. A 2025 lawsuit from a sports marketing agency resulted in a one million dollar default judgment against him.

How it is being reported

• Former NBA star Malik Beasley negotiating plea deal over gambling chargesFormer NBA player Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement with the Department of Justice after initially pleading not guilty to charges of altering his play in 2024 to benefit sports bettors and ease his debts.Clickorlando · 24 Oct, 19:15
• Former NBA star Malik Beasley negotiating plea deal over gambling chargesFormer NBA player Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement with the Department of Justice after initially pleading not guilty to charges of altering his play in 2024 to benefit sports bettors and ease his debts.News4Jax · 24 Oct, 19:15

In this story: Malik Beasley · Ed Davis · Paolo Zamorano · Department of Justice · Milwaukee Bucks

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